The Importance of Play in Child Development

It is now February. It is already a month since we started school for 2010. Time really flies.

On the first week of school, we allocated more time for play in our daily lesson plan. I realised that as the children play, they are so engaged with what they are doing that they hardly had any time disturbing their friends. I noticed that the children who was once known as 'the naughty boy' or 'the boy who likes to disturb his friends' was in such good behaviour. He did not disturb his friends, but was playing together with them.

It is known that “Children learn best when they are playing”. This is what we often hear and learn from researches. However, in today’s competitive world, many children are being deprived from play as parents may say that it is just a “waste of time”. Parents want their child to succeed and put their time to good use, and some may think that the best way is only by sending them for extra classes. I am not saying that extra classes are bad for children, but there have to be a balance in what we do. Therefore, today, I would like to share with you a few of the benefits of play.

Benefit #1: Play allows children to develop physically.

As children play, they exercise their fine and gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination and dexterity. During Physical Education lesson in school, when we want to help our children in their hand-eye coordination, we plan activities such as catching a ball. When we want our children to have good gross motor skills, we bring our children out to the playground to jump into hoops on one foot or two feet. We also have activities to help children with their fine motor skills such as threading, buttoning, lacing, pouring and many more.

Picture taken from http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/family/kids-parenting/playtime-00000000014868/page21.html

Benefit #2: Play allows children to develop intellectually.

Children learn to solve problems, investigate and discover, explore cause and effect and think critically when they play. During small group activities, we allow children to play with jigsaw puzzles as it helps in their problem solving skills. Blocks are also a good open-ended toy for children. When children want to build a tall tower using blocks, they will need to explore what is the best way to stack the blocks. They will need to think critically and make decisions. They will also need to think of ways to solve the problem if the tower is not stable. As children play, they use their creativity and imagination. This is important for a healthy brain development.

Picture taken from http://www.nhbvi.com/Agenda/Goal1/Book1/index.htm

Benefit #3: Play allows children to develop socially.

Children learn how to share, take turns, resolve conflicts and negotiate with one another. During outdoor play in school, when children are playing in the playground and there are only two swings available, the children will have to learn to take turns and share with one another. This is the time when children also learn how to communicate with their friends non-verbally, such as using body language, eye contact, sign language and facial expression and verbally, as they learn to speak a certain language as they communicate with one another. Children become more confident while playing and this enhances their self-esteem.

Picture taken from http://www.little-tikes-climbing-frame.co.uk/little-tikes-tropical-playground-climber.php

These are just a few of the many benefits of play. Therefore, we as teachers, parents or caregivers should recognize these benefits and allow our children to grow in the best way they can. The best part of it, children will play without being forced to do so. They love and enjoy doing it!

For more information, you can visit:

http://www.child-development-guide.com/importance-of-play.html
http://www.aap.org/pressroom/playFINAL.pdf
http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-your-child-benefits-from-play_64065.bc

Tips to help children read

I was reading 'My Child Malaysia' magazine, which was given a copy to us by our lecturer, Ms. Rosaline, and I came across an interesting article on reading. The article gives 10 easy tips to parents on ways to improve their child's reading skills, just 15 minutes a day. I think it is quite relevant and parents who wants to help their child in their reading should try this out.

Tip #1

Since the children are travelling everyday to school, back home or anywhere else, there is some time spent in the car during the ride. Instead of just letting the children be restless in the car, we might as well make use of the time they have in the car by putting it into good use. For young learning children, we can ask them to practice reading by asking them to read and spell out car licence plates, road signs and interesting billboards that they come across on the road.


Tip #2

It has been a trend for young children to be a couch potato and to sit in front of the TV, watching television programs for hours everyday. For a change, parents can encourage children to swap some of their TV time for a new adventure story which is interesting and will catch their attention. Parents do not need to do this everyday, they can do it once a week for a start.




Tip #3


Besides reading a storybook, when you and your child are too tired to read, you can always listen to a book on the CD player. Your child will be able to learn by listening, and improve on their pronunciation while enjoying the colourful and interesting pictures in the book.

Tip #4

We have been taught to provide a literacy rich environment for the children in one of our classes. In schools, we should label everything, from the doors to the windows, to the books and toys. This way, the young children will be exposed to the alphabets and words which will help them in their reading. The same thing can be done at home, especially for young toddlers who are learning to read. When they are exploring things at home, they will be able to learn to read the labels and get to know what they have in their surroundings.


Tip #5

Whenever you go out with your child, pack some books and snacks along. When they are free, offer them a book to read. Although the books may seem heavy, think of it as cultivating the reading habit in your child's life. Then, your child will see books as part of his or her life.

Tip #6

Cooking sessions with your child as your helper can be a fun activity. As you are going through the recipe, you can get your child to read the recipe to you, informing you the ingredients, measurements and instructions.

Tip #7

I believe grocery shopping with your child is a fun activity to do as well. Besides spending quality time together, you can teach your child to read the labels on the food product. It will be a useful skill and good habit to keep. You will be exposing them on how to select a good food product.

Tip #8

If you go on a working trip where you will have to leave your child under the care of someone else, you can always pack a few of your child's favourite books and read it to them via the phone.

Tip #9

A 'reading pocket' consists of some interesting things that can be read with your child, such as comic strips, magazines or newspapers. You can make it a habit to create a reading pocket for your child and pick out something interesting with your child and read it by the end of the day. It will be a good parent-bonding tool which makes reading more exciting.

Tip #10

Sometimes children love bedtime stories so much, to the extend that they would want you to have a bedtime story session with them. Go ahead and do it. But instead of you reading the story to them, let them read it to you.